Music played: “Pomp and Circumstance” by the symphonic band, “You Raise Me Up” by the concert choir, “Titan Spirit” by the symphonic band, “Alma Mater” and “Fanfare and Recessional.”

EDGERTON—Principal Mark Coombs spoke a familiar language with his departing Class of 2014 on Sunday.

“#almostdone,” Coombs said to the graduating seniors at Edgerton High School.

“#almostoutofthehouse,” he added for the parents and family members gathered in the school's field house.

Coombs noted that it was slightly more than eight years ago when Twitter was born, but he used the online social networking and microblogging service as an example of how much and how fast the world is changing.

Coombs said graduates need to be committed to life-long learning and flexibility to prosper.

He noted that graduating seniors can expect an average of 11 job changes in their career.

What the Class of 2014 accomplished over the last 13 years of public education will set the stage for the next chapter of their lives, he said.

“I congratulate the Class of 2014,” he said in closing. “#missed, #rolltide.”

Smile, please

The courtyard adjacent to the school's field house was the place to be seen—and photographed—before the seniors left to line up for their processional.

What started with one, two or a handful of almost-graduates and one photographer quickly mushroomed as more cameras and phones appeared.

“Wait, wait, just one more,” was a common refrain, although it rarely resulted in just one more photo.

Messages on mortarboards

Several members of Edgerton's graduating class put their artistic talents on display with creative mortarboards.

“We did it!,” “It's a wrap,” “Class of 2014 is cooking!” and “UWO-Bound” were just a few of the colorful messages.

Others simply decorated their caps with their names or their initials.

Persistent perseverance

Lauren Richardson gave the staff address.

She said the Class of 2014 did nothing but persevere since the day its members struggled to find their kindergarten classrooms.

Richardson said that while Sunday was likely the last time the entire class would be together, she is confident its members will persevere and prosper in the varied paths they travel in the future.

She wrapped up her address by turning her back on her class but only to snap a lasting selfie of herself and fellow graduate Sara Becker, who emceed the ceremony, with the graduating class behind them.”

International flavor

As it usually does, Edgerton's graduation ceremony includes a special nod to the school's foreign exchange students.

Sunday's ceremony included three who donned crimson gowns: Ami Kikuchi of Japan, Edvin Matton of Sweden and Hanna Philippaerts of Belgium.